In a gripping world press conference, Prophet Dr. Isa El-Buba Sadiq, the Convener of the Coalition for Better and Brighter Nigeria (CBBN), shed light on the escalating violence and unabated killings ravaging Plateau State. The conference, held in the wake of the heart-wrenching bloodbaths, revealed shocking details of massacres, destruction, and the urgent need for immediate action.
The CBBN, a powerful coalition comprising rights groups, pressure organizations, and political action entities dedicated to advancing a peaceful, democratic, and economically viable Nigeria, expressed deep concern over the recent wave of violence in Plateau State. They extended heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by these horrific events and offered prayers for the souls of the victims.
Prophet Dr. Isa El-Buba emphasized the pressing need to address the resurgence of organized killings, particularly in villages across Mangu, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Bokkos, and Jos South Local Government Areas. Shockingly, over the past four months, close to a thousand innocent lives, including women and children, have been mercilessly butchered in overnight terrorist attacks. Their homes, along with food supplies, have been burned to the ground, resulting in economic devastation estimated in the billions of dollars. The CBBN condemned these barbaric acts of violence and destruction in the strongest terms.
The conference called upon the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to swiftly mobilize and provide relief materials for the surviving victims. They urged friends, partners, multilateral and multinational organizations, and public-spirited individuals to extend support and solidarity to the government and people of Plateau State in this dire time.
While acknowledging the efforts of security stakeholders in the state, Prophet Dr. Isa El-Buba Sadiq boldly asserted that it is not enough. The security and defense formations were called upon to redouble their efforts in combating the ongoing genocide on the Plateau. He urged them to increase their proactiveness, gather intelligence, and unmask the terrorists and their sponsors.
The violence plaguing Plateau State serves as a distressing reminder of the urgent need for security sector reform in Nigeria. The conference emphasized the importance of decentralizing policing and implementing comprehensive reforms to ensure lasting peace and security.
Prophet Dr. Isa El-Buba Sadiq urged community stakeholders to remain vigilant and provide timely intelligence to security forces. The collaboration between government and community entities was highlighted as crucial in strengthening early warning and response systems. He further emphasized the citizens’ right to self-defense in the face of unwarranted provocation, as protecting life is of paramount importance.
To combat the ongoing onslaught against innocent citizens, the CBBN outlined its commitment to raising awareness, collaboration, research support, innovation, and advocacy. The coalition aims to shed light on the human impact of the violence, foster empathy, and stimulate constructive discussions toward finding lasting solutions.
The CBBN expressed openness to collaborations with local organizations, government bodies, and international partners dedicated to peace and security in Plateau State. By joining forces, they seek to pool resources and expertise to combat the terrorism plaguing the region.
In addition to collaborations, the CBBN announced its plans for vigorous advocacy efforts on both local and global platforms. The goal is to draw attention to the urgent need for more decisive action against terrorism, particularly in Plateau State. They will work closely with relevant stakeholders to prioritize violence prevention, security, and policy reform at both governmental and international levels.
The CBBN recognizes that ending the reign of terror and achieving lasting peace requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. They are determined to utilize their resources and leverage partnerships to support peace-building, security initiatives, justice, humanitarian interventions, and stabilization efforts.
Together, Prophet Dr. Isa El-Buba and the CBBN envision a future where every community, especially Plateau State, thrives in peace and security. They call upon the world to join hands in this urgent endeavor to bring an end to the horrors unfolding on the Plateau.
